ICC World Cup League 2: Scotland defeats Nepal by 2 runs

Kathmandu, May 12: Nepal has lost to Scotland by 2 runs in the match held between the two sides under the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 at TU cricket ground today.

Despite half centuries from Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Gulshan Jha, Nepal fell short by just 2 runs in the match decided by the DLS method, after 50 overs could be completed in the second innings due to rain.

Batting first after winning the toss, Scotland made 243 runs at the loss of 8 wickets in the full quota of 50 overs. Opener George Munsey scored 75 runs in 62 balls followed by Finlay McCreath and Micheal English who scored 35 and 34 runs respectively.

Leg Spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was the pick of the Nepali bowlers, taking 4 wickets in 10 overs and limiting the visitors to a par score. Karan KC and Nandan Yadav chipped in with 2 wickets each.

However, Nepali bowlers gave away too many extra runs, at 16 including 11 wides.

As rain affected the second innings, Nepal were given a revised target of 221 runs in 39 overs. Gulshan top-scored for Nepal, scoring 61 runs in 35 balls, including 5 sixes and 2 fours. Airee scored 55 runs in 49 balls while captain Rohit Paudel contributed 32 runs in 46 balls, before being bowled out by eventual player-of-the-match Brad Currie. He took 3 wickets in 8 overs, giving away 43 runs.

Nepal will now face the United States of America in the match to be held on coming Thursday, May 14.

In the points table including 8 teams, Nepal languishes at the 7th position, with 18 points in 25 matches. Nepal has won 8 matches and lost 15 so far. The USA tops the table with 36 points in 24 matches. (RSS)